College Football Preview: The ACC

Ranking the ACC
1. Florida State
2. Clemson
3. Virginia Tech
4. Georgia Tech
5. NC State
6. Virginia
Overview: It may come a year later than expected but Florida State should rule the ACC. E.J. Manuel is healthy and few have a better defensive line than the Seminoles with Brandon Jenkins, Everett Dawkins and Bjoern Werner. The top recruiting class in the conference should add depth. Clemson has the best player in the conference with Sammy Watkins but has some holes. Their is no denying that the D-line only has one returning player to a bad pass rush. Andre Ellington's return improves a good backfield. Once more it appears the team to beat out of the Coastal is Virginia Tech. Logan Thomas could be Frank Beamer's most talented QB ever and this defense looks menacing with James Gayle, Bruce Taylor and Kyle Fuller. Georgia Tech has an offense that looks scary good. Back is athletic Tevin Washington at quarterback and fullback David Sims should breakout. Not to mention four starters back on offensive line. NC State was able to win games thanks mainly to a decent passing game and a fantastic secondary. Back is QB Mike Glennon to lead the air attack and David Amerson is back to head the secondary after recording 13 interceptions in 2011. Virginia stunned many when they won 8 games in '11-'12. Now, back is maturing Michael Rocco and elusive back Perry Jones. With Steve Greer making plays on defense a Coastal title isn't out of the question. Bryn Renner and much of the offense is back at UNC. That includes sophomore Giovani Bennard and Erik Highsmith. New coach Larry Fedora hopes to have this defense playing hard. Wake Forest has underrated quarterback Tanner Price back and a good defense with defensive back Merrill Noel and linemen Nikita Whitlock. That being said 6-7 wins is the goal for the Demon Deacons. Miami has a really weak offense even if Stephon Morris becomes a star. The playmakers on defense are also pretty limited. Duke coach David Cutcliffe could actually have a bowl possibility team on his hands. Senior quarterback Sean Renfree is ready for the big stage and has a great receiver in Conner Vernon. Boston College was hoping Montel Harris could make a comeback after injury but was dismissed from the team. Kevin Pierre-Louis leads a dangerous defense. The only headlines Maryland made in 2011 was because of their odd jerseys. Though coach Randy Edsall can turn schools in the right direction and has the tools with linemen Joe Vellano and linebacker Kenny Tate back.